Yahoo Sports All Blacks coach hits back at Marler's haka jibe
Autumn Nations Series: England v New Zealand
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Date: Saturday, 2 November Kick-off: 15:10 GMT
Coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app.
New Zealand coach Scott Robertson says England prop Joe Marler could have chosen his words better when he called for the All Blacks' haka to be "binned".
Marler, 34, called the haka – a pre-match ritual challenge - "ridiculous" in a post on X, before deactivating his account, reactivating it and claiming he was "just having a bit of fun trying to spark interest in a mega rugby fixture".
"I know Joe," said Robertson.
"I wonder if he wished he could have articulated himself a little bit better on that.
“The haka for us is a custom. It is part of who we are, it's our DNA. It is not just about the All Blacks, it is about us as a country. It means a lot to us."
Robertson admitted Marler's post was discussed among his players.
"The boys are aware of it," he added.
"We don't use it as such to say, 'this is what has been said and it's disrespectful'. Especially in this regard, because it has happened before. But we will discuss it and decide how we deal with it respectfully."
Marler's initial comments also drew criticism from various political and cultural figures in New Zealand and added to the attention around a tour that will include the latest instalment of the All Blacks' recent and occasionally heated rivalry with Ireland.
How teams have responded to the haka
England have history with the haka.
Before a Test at Old Trafford in 1997, home hooker Richard Cockerill stood nose-to-nose with opposite number Norm Hewitt, while England formed an arrowhead shape to receive the haka before beating the All Blacks in the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final.
In 2005, British and Irish Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll tore up some grass, throwing the blades in the air in response to the haka in the first Test. Wales also stared down the haka in 2008, refusing to turn first and causing a stand-off.
While both the Lions and Wales were well beaten, France's advance on the haka preceded a famous 20-18 quarter-final win at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Rules are now in place preventing either team advancing close to the other. However, it has not stopped the controversy.
South Africa apologised earlier this year after the haka was interrupted by fireworks, music and a pre-match fly-past, saying it was the result of human error on timings rather than a deliberate slight.
Robertson described England's 2019 response as "awesome".
"It is the respect thing isn't it," he said.
"There was a clear meaning behind it and was respectfully done. That's great. That's what we are all about."
